Peer Pressure Speech

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Introduction

Peer Pressure Speech Go on." "Everybody's doing it." "It's only one drink." "You're such a loser." I didn't know what to do. All these voices were repeating themselves over and over in my head. I didn't want to give into them because I knew what I was doing was wrong. I didn't want everyone to think I was scared but what if my parents found out. Why was I here? Are these people really my friends if they are really doing this to me? These were the vital questions that I didn't know the answers to. I knew in my heart it was wrong but I gave in. This is usually the typical outcome of a scene like this. It is called peer pressure. It can be disguised in many different forms. In this speech I am going to look at different ways in which teenagers can be influenced by peer pressure. Many teenagers experiment with cigarettes, drugs or alcohol. It is likely that they take their first cigarette, drink or drug because of pressure from peers or friends. The influence of friends who smoke is the main reason teenagers start, although you are also more likely to start if your parents do. ...read more.

Middle

Teenagers sometimes think of it as a way of testing how much you can get away with. If it is found to be addictive, particularly if tempted to do it alone, it may be a sign of depression or unhappiness. Some adolescents especially females become so concerned about weight control that they take drastic and dangerous measures to remain thin. Some overeat and then force themselves to vomit to avoid gaining weight. This pattern is associated with an eating disorder called bulimia. Another eating disorder is called anorexia nervosa. This is when young women actually starve themselves to keep their weight down. Adolescents with eating disorders have an extremely disturbed body image. They see themselves as "fat" when they are really underweight. Bulimia and anorexia are rare before the age of ten. Girls often turn to bulimia and anorexia because they believe it will make them happier, more successful and more popular. Topics that have been mentioned to try to explain why young people turn to eating disorders include social pressure on girls to be slim, stress effects on the functioning of brain centres controlling eating, expression of underlying personality disorder or a reaction to a conflict-ridden family situation. ...read more.

Conclusion

People sometimes confuse sex with affection and hope that agreeing to sex will lead to more commitment from their partner, or will make them feel loved. Unfortunately this is not always the case. Peer pressure can often mean that your needs and wishes are ignored, and when that happens life can become more difficult to cope with. Sometimes it can lead to depression. Depression can make people feel bad-tempered, moody and worried, and they may develop other symptoms such as headaches or stomachaches. Some sufferers feel short of energy and want to sleep all the time; others will have difficulty in sleeping and become very tired. Tiredness, lack of interest and difficulty in concentrating can affect schoolwork. Depressed people often lose interest in hobbies and activities and feel cut off from the people around them. They feel worthless and believe they have no power to change the situation they are in. some young people turn to drug or alcohol abuse, sleeping around, crime, skipping school or running away from home. These can all be ways of distracting themselves from their feelings. Depression has to be taken seriously and sufferers need to seek immediate help. Counselling, psychotherapy or sometimes medication can make recovery quicker and easier. ...read more.

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Quite a range of examples of peer pressure exploring the experience. Suggest choosing at most three examples and exploring them by describing or outlining relevant psychological theory and/or research and then evaluating it. Use of psychological terms could be developed.

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